Michael Cheika has announced his team to take on Fiji in the Wallabies’ opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
As reported yesterday, David Pocock will start alongside captain Michael Hooper in the back row, the duo reprising their ‘Pooper’ combination for the first time this year after it worked so well at the 2015 tournament.
Pocock has replaced Lukhan Salakaia-Loto at blindside flanker, with the Queensland Reds forward shifting to the bench.
The starting XV is otherwise identical to the one the Wallabies used in their Bledisloe 1 victory over the All Blacks, although there are a couple of tweaks to the bench.
Nic White and Christian Lealiifano are the halves, while Tolu Latu has got the nod as the starting hooker. Brumbies pair Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa round out the front row as the two props.
In a boost for the side, Rory Arnold has overcome the hand injury which ruled him out of the heavy Bledisloe 2 loss to take his place in the second row alongside Izack Rodda, and number 8 Isi Naisarani will line up in the back row with Hooper and Pocock.
Samu Kerevi and James O’Connor are once again the centres after combining so effectively there in Perth, with Reece Hodge and Marika Koroibete on the wings and Kurtley Beale at fullback.
On the bench, Jordan Uelese has pipped Folau Fainga’a for the back-up hooker’s spot. James Slipper and Sekope Kepu are the two reserve props, meaning there’s surprisingly no place in the matchday 23 for Taniela Tupou.
Adam Coleman and Salakaia-Loto round out the bench forwards, and Will Genia, Matt To’omua and Dane Haylett-Petty take the three spots on the pine for the backs.
The side is heavy on experience, with over 1000 Test caps between the starters and reserves. Uelese and Naisarani, who’ll both be playing their fifth matches for the Wallabies, are the only players in the team with single-digit international appearances to their name.
1. Scott Sio (59 Tests)
2. Tolu Latu (15 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (33 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (21 Tests)
5. Rory Arnold (22 Tests)
6. David Pocock (78 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (95 Tests)
8. Isi Naisarani (4 Tests)
9. Nic White (26 Tests)
10. Christian Lealiifano (22 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (24 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (29 Tests)
13. James O’Connor (48 Tests)
14. Reece Hodge (37 Tests)
15. Kurtley Beale (87 Tests)
Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese (4 Tests)
17. James Slipper (91 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu (106 Tests)
19. Adam Coleman (34 Tests)
20. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (16 Tests)
21. Will Genia (105 Tests)
22. Matt To’omua (47 Tests)
23. Dane Haylett-Petty (33 Tests)
Australia’s World Cup opener against Fiji kicks off at 2:45pm (AEST) this Saturday. You’ll be able to follow all the action right here on The Roar with our live scores and commentary, as well as match highlights and analysis.
jeznez
Roar Guru
We should romp it in with only four in the squad this time then!
Golden Graham
Roar Rookie
No, no. I have no issue with New South Welshman, and I do recognise that Sydney juniors who went on to play for other Super Rugby clubs contributed enormously to those sides. I also hold high respect for many of the aforementioned players. What I, and many other Wallabies fans complain about is garbage players consistently representing Australia for no other reason than that they play Super Rugby for the Waratahs. And some of these absolute pillows, have embarrassingly played a significant amount of tests for the Wallabies – continuously serving to undervalue the Wallabies jersey. These players include but are not limited to: Nathan Grey, Chris Whitaker, Phil Waugh, David Lyons, Matt Dunning, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nic Phipps and Ned Hannigan. However, we do seem to be finally cleaning up nonsense selections such as these so perhaps my comment was a little unwarranted. SIDE NOTE: in the 1999 World Cup Final, there was a nice measly number of 5 Tahs making up the 22.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Good Tahs are fine and deserve their spots. Bad Tahs are not and don't. Kepu is a good Tah. So is Dempsey, so is Latu, on his good days.
Matt
Guest
The team continually built around Hoopers weakness as a 7.When will it end :crying:
Azza
Guest
4 passengers in 2015 Douglas, Mumm, Simmons, Skelton.
Big Steve
Guest
Its because most people just repeat what others say instead of having their own thoughts. Once the anti NSW bias became popular people just repeat it without thinking. Especially the use of the derogatory names for people they don't like. Its a pretty good team. I read through the team list and didn't think about what super team anyone played for. It wasn't till a read a few comments that i had to go back and check. It would be interesting if the coach and all the NSW players were not selected next year and the results were the same. People would then probably complain that the culture has been ruined by the NSW players not getting picked.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think Cheika might just be backing his man. Kepu in form is excellent. Hopefully the break since Super has let him get himself right and he'll be firing. If he was in his best form then I'd start him as LH with Ala'alatoa at TH then have whoever of Sio/Slipper is in better form pairing with Tupou off the bench. Kepu and Tupou are our two best ball players in the front row so having one start and the other finish would be ideal in terms of the attacking shape of the team and the ability to play off a central pod.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Yeh actually just watched highlights from 2015. It's amazing how much squarer he plays and actually takes the line on himself rather then crabbing and throwing the wide ball from deep.
Rolando
Roar Rookie
Good Point! We have a better front row and second row now. The back row then was better and the halves and backs are comparable.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
The game celebrates Fijian and Melanesian culture.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Brian Westlake...70's graffiti nostalgia
PiratesRugby
Guest
Wish we could get every team to play as bad as England did in RWC15. Even made Foley look good.
jimbo
Roar Rookie
hahaha....comment again after the game this fijian team is not to be taken lightly
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Overall I like the XV selected and the subs. My thinking is Tupou is being reserved for the Wales game. This first game vs Fiji is the must win match. Win this game and the Wallabies should advance out of the pool.
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Wallabies 28-7.. just have to much class for a determined Fiji.
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
I agree with you. It is pretty much the strongest 23 I thought. being a Fiji supporter I give them not much chance of matching up. I do believe there might some surprise results but hard to pick......I am sure nobody picked Japan in 2015.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
I’m happy with this team but confidence is the key! We need to get our points early then build, like we didn’t in our last game against the AB’s. Go you good things! Come on Wallabies. You can do it!
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Yes even accounting for duds Phipps and Palu this 2015 squad was much stronger than 2019 imo
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Well Fiji have a good chance of winning imo. If I were their coach I'd be niggling Latu all game and likely get a send off or penalties. Then I'd run and kick high balls at Beale. Fiji have good accurate kickers now and he'll poo his pants if a big Fijian runs at him. Hold WBs in lineout and scrum and they can win the breakdown with WBs only having 1 world class breakdown back rower. Tackle well and Fiji have fire power to win imo
jameswm
Roar Guru
Wow. This team is better.